BEET ROOT CULTURE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10010, 7 June 1895, Page 3

BEET ROOT CULTURE.

Srn,— Referring to yonr leading article of yesterday's date, perhaps the following paragraph taken from the Auitralasian of 25th May last) may prove encouraging and of interest to a good few of oar settlers who have been growiDg experimental crops of the sugar beet : — " Experiments which have been made at the Tentetfield station, N.S.W., with a view to ascertaining the suitability of the district for sugar heet growing, give results beyond the most sanguine expectations formed by Mr Van do Velde, The -first two testa made showed a percentage of 14 and 15 per cent of sugar. Since then, however, another series of 40 testa have been made wljich show angar contents varying 17 to 22J per cent. Mr Van de Velde expresses himself as being simply astounded, and says he does not think snob a thing has ever been seen in any other part where the beet is cultivated. Notwithstanding the dry season the yield in weight per acre is most satisfactory, some of the richest varieties averaging 19 per cent of sngar and 40 tons to the acre. During his visit Mr Van de Velde visited some of the farmers who have also crown plots, bnt with the exception of that of Mr Wilkle, who had gained experience during the planting and cultivation of the plob ob the station by Mr Van de Velde, the rest that he has seen In the district la not very satisfactory." I shall be glad, sir, if anyone can give any information as to the difference In the conditions of onr soil and climate as compared with Tenterfield, New South Wales, that may militate against the same results being obtained here. — I am, l &c., 1 C. B. HOADLEY. Jnne 0, 1895.